Purple Rain, the stage musical adaptation of the classic Prince album and film, will make its pre-Broadway premiere next year in Prince’s hometown of Minneapolis, producers announced today.
The musical will debut in spring 2025 at Hennepin Theatre Trust’s State Theatre in Minneapolis as part of its 2024-2025 season. Exact production dates and additional production details will be announced in the coming weeks.
The announcement was made today by producer Orin Wolf.
In a joint statement, L Londell McMillan, former Prince manager and attorney and Chairman of The NorthStar Group, and Larry Mestel, Founder & CEO of Primary Wave Music, said, “Prince talked about adapting Purple Rain for the stage for years. It’s only fitting that we launch this world premiere musical version in the city where it all began, Prince’s hometown, Minneapolis. We’re very excited for the creative team to be inspired by the Minneapolis sound...
The musical will debut in spring 2025 at Hennepin Theatre Trust’s State Theatre in Minneapolis as part of its 2024-2025 season. Exact production dates and additional production details will be announced in the coming weeks.
The announcement was made today by producer Orin Wolf.
In a joint statement, L Londell McMillan, former Prince manager and attorney and Chairman of The NorthStar Group, and Larry Mestel, Founder & CEO of Primary Wave Music, said, “Prince talked about adapting Purple Rain for the stage for years. It’s only fitting that we launch this world premiere musical version in the city where it all began, Prince’s hometown, Minneapolis. We’re very excited for the creative team to be inspired by the Minneapolis sound...
- 2/6/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Prince’s classic film Purple Rain is heading to the stage. Based on Albert Magnoli and William Blinn’s screenplay for the 1984 film, the musical will be directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz, The New York Times reports.
Producer Orin Wolf, who is shepherding the theatrical adaptation of a separate music industry movie, Buena Vista Social Club, announced the news on Monday that he’s developing the stage adaptation. The resident director of Lincoln Center Theater, Blain-Crus was nominated for a 2022 revival of Thornton Wilder’s The Skin of Our Teeth, which...
Producer Orin Wolf, who is shepherding the theatrical adaptation of a separate music industry movie, Buena Vista Social Club, announced the news on Monday that he’s developing the stage adaptation. The resident director of Lincoln Center Theater, Blain-Crus was nominated for a 2022 revival of Thornton Wilder’s The Skin of Our Teeth, which...
- 1/8/2024
- by Althea Legaspi
- Rollingstone.com
Prince’s Purple Rain is being adapted for the stage.
The production is based on Albert Magnoli and William Blinn’s 1984 screenplay – which itself was tied into Prince’s studio album of the same name. Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, known for their recent Broadway work on Appropriate, will write the book, with Lileana Blain-Cruz (Skin of Our Teeth) is taking on the role of director.
Starring Prince in his acting debut, the movie Purple Rain grossed close to $100 million worldwide and took home the Oscar for best original score.
Additional details about the play will be announced at a later date.
Late last year, Prince’s estate shared a super deluxe reissue of his 1991 album Diamonds and Pearls, complete with 47 previously unreleased tracks.
See where Purple Rain stacks up in our ranking of the 100 Greatest Albums of All Time.
Prince’s Purple Rain Getting Stage Adaptation
Abby Jones...
The production is based on Albert Magnoli and William Blinn’s 1984 screenplay – which itself was tied into Prince’s studio album of the same name. Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, known for their recent Broadway work on Appropriate, will write the book, with Lileana Blain-Cruz (Skin of Our Teeth) is taking on the role of director.
Starring Prince in his acting debut, the movie Purple Rain grossed close to $100 million worldwide and took home the Oscar for best original score.
Additional details about the play will be announced at a later date.
Late last year, Prince’s estate shared a super deluxe reissue of his 1991 album Diamonds and Pearls, complete with 47 previously unreleased tracks.
See where Purple Rain stacks up in our ranking of the 100 Greatest Albums of All Time.
Prince’s Purple Rain Getting Stage Adaptation
Abby Jones...
- 1/8/2024
- by Abby Jones
- Consequence - Music
A stage adaptation of Prince’s film Purple Rain is under development, with a world premiere in the works.
The adaptation will feature a score by Prince, who died in 2016, a book by Pulitzer-Prize finalist Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, whose play Appropriate is currently on Broadway, and direction by Lileana Blain-Cruz, who recently helmed Skin of Our Teeth on Broadway. The book is based on the original screenplay of Purple Rain, written by Albert Magnoli and William Blinn.
Additional details about the timing and location of the world premiere will be announced at a later date. Orin Wolf (A Band’s Visit) is producing.
The film version of Purple Rain, which was released in 1984 by Warner Bros., starred Prince as The Kid, an emerging rock musician in Minneapolis who is working through a difficult home environment, competing against a rival band and forming a new romance. In addition to the title song,...
The adaptation will feature a score by Prince, who died in 2016, a book by Pulitzer-Prize finalist Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, whose play Appropriate is currently on Broadway, and direction by Lileana Blain-Cruz, who recently helmed Skin of Our Teeth on Broadway. The book is based on the original screenplay of Purple Rain, written by Albert Magnoli and William Blinn.
Additional details about the timing and location of the world premiere will be announced at a later date. Orin Wolf (A Band’s Visit) is producing.
The film version of Purple Rain, which was released in 1984 by Warner Bros., starred Prince as The Kid, an emerging rock musician in Minneapolis who is working through a difficult home environment, competing against a rival band and forming a new romance. In addition to the title song,...
- 1/8/2024
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Purple Rain, Prince’s smash 1984 music-packed film, is being developed for the stage by a Broadway producer, with a book by two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and direction by Tony nominee Lileana Blain-Cruz.
Jacobs-Jenkins’ Appropriate is currently a hit on Broadway and an all-but-certain shoo-in for multiple Tony nominations this year. Blain-Cruz was Tony-nominated for her direction of the Lincoln Center Theater’s 2022 production of Thornton Wilder’s The Skin of Our Teeth.
The stage adaptation will feature music and lyrics from Prince’s Purple Rain movie and album.
The project was announced today by Broadway producer Orin Wolf. Additional production details and timing will be announced in the coming months.
Although Wolf’s announcement did not specifically mention Broadway, instead simply saying the project is being developed for the stage, Broadway almost certainly must be on minds given the high-profiles and previous credits of the individuals involved, not...
Jacobs-Jenkins’ Appropriate is currently a hit on Broadway and an all-but-certain shoo-in for multiple Tony nominations this year. Blain-Cruz was Tony-nominated for her direction of the Lincoln Center Theater’s 2022 production of Thornton Wilder’s The Skin of Our Teeth.
The stage adaptation will feature music and lyrics from Prince’s Purple Rain movie and album.
The project was announced today by Broadway producer Orin Wolf. Additional production details and timing will be announced in the coming months.
Although Wolf’s announcement did not specifically mention Broadway, instead simply saying the project is being developed for the stage, Broadway almost certainly must be on minds given the high-profiles and previous credits of the individuals involved, not...
- 1/8/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Actor David Soul, best known for playing Detective Kenneth "Hutch" Hutchinson in the 1970s cop show "Starsky & Hutch," has died at the age of 80. In a statement shared on social media and with news outlets, Soul's wife, Helen Snell, said that he had died on Thursday, January 5, "after a valiant battle for life in the loving company of family." Describing Soul as a "beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother," Snell added:
"He shared many extraordinary gifts in the world as actor, singer, storyteller, creative artist and dear friend. His smile, laughter and passion for life will be remembered by the many whose lives he has touched."
Soul was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1943, but obtained British citizenship in 2004 and married Snell, his fifth wife, in 2010. Speaking to the Daily Mail about his decision to move to England, Soul said that meeting Snell was "life-changing" and that he became a...
"He shared many extraordinary gifts in the world as actor, singer, storyteller, creative artist and dear friend. His smile, laughter and passion for life will be remembered by the many whose lives he has touched."
Soul was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1943, but obtained British citizenship in 2004 and married Snell, his fifth wife, in 2010. Speaking to the Daily Mail about his decision to move to England, Soul said that meeting Snell was "life-changing" and that he became a...
- 1/5/2024
- by Hannah Shaw-Williams
- Slash Film
David Soul, who starred alongside Paul Michael Glaser on the 1970s’ ABC buddy cop show Starsky and Hutch and had a No. 1 hit with the song “Don’t Give Up on Us,” has died. He was 80.
Soul died Thursday after “a valiant battle for life in the loving company of family,” his wife, Helen Snell, said in a statement.
“He shared many extraordinary gifts in the world as actor, singer, storyteller, creative artist and dear friend,” she said. “His smile, laughter and passion for life will be remembered by the many whose lives he has touched.”
Soul also appeared for two seasons on the 1968-70 ABC show Here Come the Brides, played one of the corrupt young motorcycle cops brought down by Clint Eastwood’s Harry Callahan in the thriller Magnum Force (1973) and stood out as a terrified vampire hunter in the 1979 Stephen King CBS miniseries Salem’s Lot.
On two...
Soul died Thursday after “a valiant battle for life in the loving company of family,” his wife, Helen Snell, said in a statement.
“He shared many extraordinary gifts in the world as actor, singer, storyteller, creative artist and dear friend,” she said. “His smile, laughter and passion for life will be remembered by the many whose lives he has touched.”
Soul also appeared for two seasons on the 1968-70 ABC show Here Come the Brides, played one of the corrupt young motorcycle cops brought down by Clint Eastwood’s Harry Callahan in the thriller Magnum Force (1973) and stood out as a terrified vampire hunter in the 1979 Stephen King CBS miniseries Salem’s Lot.
On two...
- 1/5/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Stan Rogow, the writer and Emmy-nominated producer who guided the Hilary Duff-starring Lizzie McGuire series and feature that spawned from the Disney Channel hit and partnered with John Sayles on several projects, has died. He was 75.
Rogow died Thursday at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, family spokesperson Scott Fisher told The Hollywood Reporter.
Early in his career, Rogow served as a producer on the pilot of the acclaimed NBC series Fame and shared an Emmy nomination for outstanding drama series in 1982 with William Blinn and two others.
The Brooklyn native was also an exec producer on the 2004-06 Discovery Kids sitcom Darcy’s Wild Life, starring Sara Paxton, and he co-created another show for the network, the 2005-07 adventure series Flight 29 Down, featuring Corbin Bleu.
Rogow produced Sayles-written The Clan of the Cave Bear (1986), starring Daryl Hannah, before they teamed to create the 1990 NBC drama Shannon’s Deal, starring...
Rogow died Thursday at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, family spokesperson Scott Fisher told The Hollywood Reporter.
Early in his career, Rogow served as a producer on the pilot of the acclaimed NBC series Fame and shared an Emmy nomination for outstanding drama series in 1982 with William Blinn and two others.
The Brooklyn native was also an exec producer on the 2004-06 Discovery Kids sitcom Darcy’s Wild Life, starring Sara Paxton, and he co-created another show for the network, the 2005-07 adventure series Flight 29 Down, featuring Corbin Bleu.
Rogow produced Sayles-written The Clan of the Cave Bear (1986), starring Daryl Hannah, before they teamed to create the 1990 NBC drama Shannon’s Deal, starring...
- 12/9/2023
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Fire up the Gran Torino: An update of the 1970s cop show Starsky & Hutch is in the offing.
Fox is developing the project, which will be feature two female characters in the title roles, via its script-to-series model. Fox Entertainment president Michael Thorn told The Hollywood Reporter he expects to have at least two scripts from writers/showrunners Sam Sklaver (Prodigal Son) and Elizabeth Peterson (The Resident) before making a decision on it.
Sony Pictures Television, which as Columbia Pictures TV produced the original series, and Fox Entertainment are producing.
The show is one of a handful of projects in Fox’s development pipeline. The network is also working on a medical drama titled Doc (also with Sony) from writer and showrunner Barbie Kligman (Magnum P.I.), based on an Italian series about a doctor who loses eight years of her memory after a traumatic accident. Marc Cherry’s...
Fox is developing the project, which will be feature two female characters in the title roles, via its script-to-series model. Fox Entertainment president Michael Thorn told The Hollywood Reporter he expects to have at least two scripts from writers/showrunners Sam Sklaver (Prodigal Son) and Elizabeth Peterson (The Resident) before making a decision on it.
Sony Pictures Television, which as Columbia Pictures TV produced the original series, and Fox Entertainment are producing.
The show is one of a handful of projects in Fox’s development pipeline. The network is also working on a medical drama titled Doc (also with Sony) from writer and showrunner Barbie Kligman (Magnum P.I.), based on an Italian series about a doctor who loses eight years of her memory after a traumatic accident. Marc Cherry’s...
- 2/16/2023
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
James Caan, whose remarkable performances in The Godfather, Elf and Misery made him a screen icon, has had his cause of death revealed by the Los Angeles County Coroner.
The 82-year-old Caan died earlier this month of a heart attack and coronary artery disease, according to the county report.
His family announced his death earlier in July on the actor’s official Twitter account.
“It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Jimmy on the evening of July 6,” the tweet reads. “The family appreciates the outpouring of love and heartfelt condolences and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time.”
After a decade in the business, Caan shot to fame in the early 1970s with back-to-back signature roles. He earned an Emmy nom as the real-life cancer-stricken Chicago Bears running back Brian Piccolo in ABC’s Brian’s Song, alongside Billy Dee Williams...
The 82-year-old Caan died earlier this month of a heart attack and coronary artery disease, according to the county report.
His family announced his death earlier in July on the actor’s official Twitter account.
“It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Jimmy on the evening of July 6,” the tweet reads. “The family appreciates the outpouring of love and heartfelt condolences and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time.”
After a decade in the business, Caan shot to fame in the early 1970s with back-to-back signature roles. He earned an Emmy nom as the real-life cancer-stricken Chicago Bears running back Brian Piccolo in ABC’s Brian’s Song, alongside Billy Dee Williams...
- 7/23/2022
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Producers of the 73rd annual Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony honored almost all of the expected people who died this past year. Who was not featured during the emotional In Memoriam segment Sunday night on CBS? Prominent performers and character actors such as Frank Bonner, Sean Connery, Michael Constantine, Abby Dalton, James Hampton, Bruce Kirby, Norman Lloyd, Helen Reddy and Jane Withers were not part of the 49 people included.
While over 100 celebrated television people died since last year’s event in mid-September of 2020, the segment generally only makes room for less than 50. Among those featured Sunday night: TV Academy Hall of Fame members actor Ed Asner, production designer Roy Christopher, actress Cloris Leachman, writer/producer William Link and actress Cicely Tyson. Current nominee Michael K. Williams (“Lovecraft Country”) and “Saturday Night Live” veteran Norm Macdonald sadly passed away this month as well.
SEECelebrity Deaths 2021: In Memoriam Gallery
The 49 people featured...
While over 100 celebrated television people died since last year’s event in mid-September of 2020, the segment generally only makes room for less than 50. Among those featured Sunday night: TV Academy Hall of Fame members actor Ed Asner, production designer Roy Christopher, actress Cloris Leachman, writer/producer William Link and actress Cicely Tyson. Current nominee Michael K. Williams (“Lovecraft Country”) and “Saturday Night Live” veteran Norm Macdonald sadly passed away this month as well.
SEECelebrity Deaths 2021: In Memoriam Gallery
The 49 people featured...
- 9/20/2021
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
Emmys 2021: In Memoriam segment will honor Michael K. Williams, Cicely Tyson, Ed Asner and who else?
Producers of this Sunday’s Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony have some difficult decisions to make about who to honor during the emotional In Memoriam segment. Cedric the Entertainer will host the 2021 Emmys for CBS at 8:00 p.m. Et; 5:00 p.m. Pt. A total of 34 presenters have been announced so far.
Our list below includes almost 100 people who made a strong contribution to television and have died since mid-September of 2020. Only about 40-45 of these people will probably be in the video segment. Certain to be featured will be TV Academy Hall of Fame members actor Ed Asner, production designer Roy Christopher, actress Cloris Leachman, writer/producer William Link and actress Cicely Tyson. Current nominee Michael K. Williams (“Lovecraft Country”) sadly passed away this month as well.
SEECelebrity Deaths 2021: In Memoriam Gallery
Ed Asner (actor)
Dana Baratta (writer/producer)
Anne Beatts (writer)
Ned Beatty (actor)
William Blinn (writer)
Frank Bonner (actor)
Perry Botkin,...
Our list below includes almost 100 people who made a strong contribution to television and have died since mid-September of 2020. Only about 40-45 of these people will probably be in the video segment. Certain to be featured will be TV Academy Hall of Fame members actor Ed Asner, production designer Roy Christopher, actress Cloris Leachman, writer/producer William Link and actress Cicely Tyson. Current nominee Michael K. Williams (“Lovecraft Country”) sadly passed away this month as well.
SEECelebrity Deaths 2021: In Memoriam Gallery
Ed Asner (actor)
Dana Baratta (writer/producer)
Anne Beatts (writer)
Ned Beatty (actor)
William Blinn (writer)
Frank Bonner (actor)
Perry Botkin,...
- 9/15/2021
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
William Blinn, the Emmy-winning screenwriter of Brian’s Song, the Roots miniseries and Prince’s Purple Rain film, has died at the age of 83.
Blinn’s family confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that the screenwriter died Thursday of natural causes at an assisted living community in Burbank, California.
After starting his career as a writer on TV Westerns like Gunsmoke, Rawhide and Bonanza, Blinn has tasked with adapting Gale Sayers’ memoir about the Chicago Bears running back’s friendship with his terminally ill teammate Brian Piccolo as the television movie...
Blinn’s family confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that the screenwriter died Thursday of natural causes at an assisted living community in Burbank, California.
After starting his career as a writer on TV Westerns like Gunsmoke, Rawhide and Bonanza, Blinn has tasked with adapting Gale Sayers’ memoir about the Chicago Bears running back’s friendship with his terminally ill teammate Brian Piccolo as the television movie...
- 10/24/2020
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
William Blinn, a longtime writer responsible for “Purple Rain” and “Starsky & Hutch,” died on Thursday. He was 83.
Blinn passed away due to natural causes at an assisted living facility in Burbank, his daughter, Anneliese Johnson, told multiple media outlets.
Blinn enjoyed a four-decade career where, along with penning the script for the Prince-starring film, he also served as a writer for TV productions including “Roots,” “Bonanza” and “Fame.” In the 1970s, Blinn adapted Chicago Bears’ running back Gale Sayers’ autobiography, “I Am Third” into the ABC TV film, “Brian’s Song.” Based on the relationship between Sayers and his Bears teammate, Brian Piccolo, it is the fourth most-watched made-for-tv film. “Brian’s Song” earned Blinn one of his two Emmy awards.
In 1975, Blinn created “Starsky & Hutch,” which ran for 93 episodes over four seasons on ABC. It was originally presented as a 70-minute “movie of the week” before being turned into a TV show.
Blinn passed away due to natural causes at an assisted living facility in Burbank, his daughter, Anneliese Johnson, told multiple media outlets.
Blinn enjoyed a four-decade career where, along with penning the script for the Prince-starring film, he also served as a writer for TV productions including “Roots,” “Bonanza” and “Fame.” In the 1970s, Blinn adapted Chicago Bears’ running back Gale Sayers’ autobiography, “I Am Third” into the ABC TV film, “Brian’s Song.” Based on the relationship between Sayers and his Bears teammate, Brian Piccolo, it is the fourth most-watched made-for-tv film. “Brian’s Song” earned Blinn one of his two Emmy awards.
In 1975, Blinn created “Starsky & Hutch,” which ran for 93 episodes over four seasons on ABC. It was originally presented as a 70-minute “movie of the week” before being turned into a TV show.
- 10/24/2020
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
William Blinn, the two-time Emmy-winning screenwriter of “Brian’s Song” and “Roots,” died on Thursday, his daughter Anneliese Johnson confirmed to Variety. He was 83.
Blinn died of natural causes at an assisted living community in Burbank, according to his daughter.
Blinn penned two landmark TV productions of the 1970s, both for ABC. The 1971 TV movie “Brian’s Song” was a commercial and creative triumph that garnered five Emmys and other accolades.
The film revolved around the true story of two Chicago Bears pro football players — one white, one Black — who forge a deep bond as one of them dies of cancer. Sayers died last month at the age of 77. It was viewed by 55 million people when it premiered on Nov. 30, 1971. At the time it ranked as the fourth most-watched film ever to air on television.
Born in Toledo, Ohio, Blinn moved to Los Angeles for college, where he launched his career as...
Blinn died of natural causes at an assisted living community in Burbank, according to his daughter.
Blinn penned two landmark TV productions of the 1970s, both for ABC. The 1971 TV movie “Brian’s Song” was a commercial and creative triumph that garnered five Emmys and other accolades.
The film revolved around the true story of two Chicago Bears pro football players — one white, one Black — who forge a deep bond as one of them dies of cancer. Sayers died last month at the age of 77. It was viewed by 55 million people when it premiered on Nov. 30, 1971. At the time it ranked as the fourth most-watched film ever to air on television.
Born in Toledo, Ohio, Blinn moved to Los Angeles for college, where he launched his career as...
- 10/24/2020
- by Janet W. Lee
- Variety Film + TV
Emmy Award winner and Starsky & Hutch creator William Blinn has died at the age of 83.
Blinn passed from natural causes on Thursday at an assisted living community in Burbank, Calif., his daughter, Anneliese Johnson, told The Hollywood Reporter.
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In addition to Starsky, which ran for four seasons and produced a total of 93 episodes, Blinn developed Eight Is Enough, Hunter, The Interns,...
Blinn passed from natural causes on Thursday at an assisted living community in Burbank, Calif., his daughter, Anneliese Johnson, told The Hollywood Reporter.
More from TVLineTVLine Items: Church's Fox Comedy, Cherish the Day Renewed and MoreYep, That's Nicole Kidman Singing Undoing's 'Dream' Theme -- WatchFirst Black Batwoman's New Batsuit Revealed -- 'It's Her Style, Her Swag, Her Moment' Says Javicia Leslie
In addition to Starsky, which ran for four seasons and produced a total of 93 episodes, Blinn developed Eight Is Enough, Hunter, The Interns,...
- 10/24/2020
- by Nick Caruso
- TVLine.com
William Blinn, the screenwriter for Prince’s Purple Rain and creator of Starsky & Hutch, has died at age 83. He passed Thursday of natural causes at an assisted living community in Burbank, according to his daughter, Anneliese Johnson.
“If you were an aspiring writer in the 70’s & 80’s, like I was, Bill’s work defined what it was to write powerful, impactful, game-changing drama,” said friend and fellow screenwriter Robbie Fox.
During a four-decade career as a writer, producer and drama specialist, Blinn wrote for Bonanza, developed Eight Is Enough, and created The Interns, The Rookies and Pensacola: Wings of Gold.
Blinn co-wrote Purple Rain with director Albert Magnoli. He was offered the 1984 film thanks to his work as a writer and executive producer on Fame, which extensively integrated music into the show.
Blinn was working as a staff writer for Screen Gems when he was tabbed to adapt a chapter...
“If you were an aspiring writer in the 70’s & 80’s, like I was, Bill’s work defined what it was to write powerful, impactful, game-changing drama,” said friend and fellow screenwriter Robbie Fox.
During a four-decade career as a writer, producer and drama specialist, Blinn wrote for Bonanza, developed Eight Is Enough, and created The Interns, The Rookies and Pensacola: Wings of Gold.
Blinn co-wrote Purple Rain with director Albert Magnoli. He was offered the 1984 film thanks to his work as a writer and executive producer on Fame, which extensively integrated music into the show.
Blinn was working as a staff writer for Screen Gems when he was tabbed to adapt a chapter...
- 10/24/2020
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
William Blinn, the two-time Emmy winner who penned the Prince-starring Purple Rain, created Starsky & Hutch and wrote for such landmark TV projects as Roots, Fame and Brian’s Song, has died. He was 83.
Blinn died Thursday of natural causes at an assisted living community in Burbank, his daughter, Anneliese Johnson, told The Hollywood Reporter.
A writer, producer and drama specialist who received the prestigious Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award from the WGA in 2009, Blinn also served as a staff writer on Bonanza, developed Eight Is Enough and created The Interns, The Rookies and Pensacola: Wings of Gold.
In his busy four-decade career, Blinn had just one feature screenplay credit,...
Blinn died Thursday of natural causes at an assisted living community in Burbank, his daughter, Anneliese Johnson, told The Hollywood Reporter.
A writer, producer and drama specialist who received the prestigious Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award from the WGA in 2009, Blinn also served as a staff writer on Bonanza, developed Eight Is Enough and created The Interns, The Rookies and Pensacola: Wings of Gold.
In his busy four-decade career, Blinn had just one feature screenplay credit,...
- 10/24/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
William Blinn, the two-time Emmy winner who penned the Prince-starring Purple Rain, created Starsky & Hutch and wrote for such landmark TV projects as Roots, Fame and Brian’s Song, has died. He was 83.
Blinn died Thursday of natural causes at an assisted living community in Burbank, his daughter, Anneliese Johnson, told The Hollywood Reporter.
A writer, producer and drama specialist who received the prestigious Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award from the WGA in 2009, Blinn also served as a staff writer on Bonanza, developed Eight Is Enough and created The Interns, The Rookies and Pensacola: Wings of Gold.
In his busy four-decade career, Blinn had just one feature screenplay credit,...
Blinn died Thursday of natural causes at an assisted living community in Burbank, his daughter, Anneliese Johnson, told The Hollywood Reporter.
A writer, producer and drama specialist who received the prestigious Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award from the WGA in 2009, Blinn also served as a staff writer on Bonanza, developed Eight Is Enough and created The Interns, The Rookies and Pensacola: Wings of Gold.
In his busy four-decade career, Blinn had just one feature screenplay credit,...
- 10/24/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
‘Purple Rain’ Director Gets Deep About Working With Prince: ‘How Is It You Just Told My Life Story?’
This weekend marks the 35th anniversary of the release of “Purple Rain.” But talking to the film’s writer-director Albert Magnoli, it seems like yesterday — at least in terms of the level of detail that he brings to his recollections of the development and production of Prince’s masterpiece.
Not only does the filmmaker remember all of the political and personal minefields he navigated in order to transform William Blinn’s script, “Dreams,” into the vehicle that propelled Prince to global superstardom, but he recalls the vibe in the rooms and the reactions of nearly everyone involved in its conception. But then again, given that Magnoli acquired his first professional endeavor as a director through what by any measure is a combination of feverish inspiration and calculated bluffing, maybe it’s not so surprising that he remembers the experience with such specificity.
Magnoli, now in his mid-60s, first learned...
Not only does the filmmaker remember all of the political and personal minefields he navigated in order to transform William Blinn’s script, “Dreams,” into the vehicle that propelled Prince to global superstardom, but he recalls the vibe in the rooms and the reactions of nearly everyone involved in its conception. But then again, given that Magnoli acquired his first professional endeavor as a director through what by any measure is a combination of feverish inspiration and calculated bluffing, maybe it’s not so surprising that he remembers the experience with such specificity.
Magnoli, now in his mid-60s, first learned...
- 7/26/2019
- by Todd Gilchrist
- Variety Film + TV
When I hear the words remake or reboot, I think “not as good as the original”. In 99% of the cases, this is true. There are anomalies like The Departed that are far superior to the original, but like I said, it is a rare case. Now, in the case of James Gunn, the thought of a reboot is rather interesting.
Recently it was announced that Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy) would be taking on the rebooting of the 1970’s buddy cop TV show Starsky and Hutch. The series will be on Amazon and Gunn himself will be directing the pilot.
James Gunn went to Facebook to announce not only his involvement in the project but to get us as pumped as he is as well. This is what he had to say:
You may have just read the news that I’m doing a version of Starsky & Hutch over at Amazon,...
Recently it was announced that Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy) would be taking on the rebooting of the 1970’s buddy cop TV show Starsky and Hutch. The series will be on Amazon and Gunn himself will be directing the pilot.
James Gunn went to Facebook to announce not only his involvement in the project but to get us as pumped as he is as well. This is what he had to say:
You may have just read the news that I’m doing a version of Starsky & Hutch over at Amazon,...
- 9/6/2017
- by Billy Fisher
- GeekTyrant
Kirsten Howard Tony Sokol Sep 1, 2017
Guardians Of The Galaxy director James Gunn will produce a rebooted Starsky & Hutch series for Amazon, it's been confirmed...
Amazon have snatched up the recently-unveiled Starsky & Hutch reboot show from James Gunn's production company.
This is the first time the popular director has wanted to pursue a project on the small screen.
“When I was a kid, Starsky & Hutch was the first ‘adult’ show I ever saw, and I fell in love,” he explained in a statement. “It instilled in me a lifelong love of gritty street shows, of killer 70’s threads, and muscle cars. So when Neal Mortiz asked me if I wanted to be a part of an all new Starsky & Hutch on TV, I was instantly intrigued. I teamed up with the two writers I trusted most in the world to work with us, my brother Brian Gunn and my cousin...
Guardians Of The Galaxy director James Gunn will produce a rebooted Starsky & Hutch series for Amazon, it's been confirmed...
Amazon have snatched up the recently-unveiled Starsky & Hutch reboot show from James Gunn's production company.
This is the first time the popular director has wanted to pursue a project on the small screen.
“When I was a kid, Starsky & Hutch was the first ‘adult’ show I ever saw, and I fell in love,” he explained in a statement. “It instilled in me a lifelong love of gritty street shows, of killer 70’s threads, and muscle cars. So when Neal Mortiz asked me if I wanted to be a part of an all new Starsky & Hutch on TV, I was instantly intrigued. I teamed up with the two writers I trusted most in the world to work with us, my brother Brian Gunn and my cousin...
- 8/24/2017
- Den of Geek
Remember Eight is Enough? The classic ABC series aired its final episode 35 years ago today.Developed by William Blinn, the dramedy followed the lives of newspaper columnist Tom Bradford (Dick Van Patten) and his eight children. The cast also included Diana Hyland, Betty Buckley, Grant Goodeve, Lani O'Grady, Laurie Walters, Susan Richardson, Dianne Kay, Connie Needham, Willie Aames, and Adam Rich.Read More…...
- 8/30/2016
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
What do you say about Purple Rain that hasn't already been said? Not only is it one of the greatest music films of all time, but it's one of the defining films of the 1980s and earned Prince an Oscar. The soundtrack spent nearly a full half-year at Number One on the Billboard charts, sold 20 million copies worldwide and won two Grammys. But as with all things Prince, that's not the full story. A number of truly excellent books and articles have been written about the making of Purple Rain, and we're here to share some of the best bits of them with you.
- 4/22/2016
- by Alex Heigl
- PEOPLE.com
hollywoodnews.com:Emmy Award-winning Murphy Brown creator Diane English has been named recipient of the Writers Guild of America, West’s 2011 Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for Television, honoring lifetime achievement for outstanding television writing. English will be feted, along with other honorees, at the 2011 Writers Guild Awards West Coast ceremony on Saturday, February 5, 2011, in Hollywood.
“Diane English is a total class act – a trailblazing, supremely talented writer whose groundbreaking body of work has helped to both equalize and revolutionize television, while raising the bar for insightful, caustic, and moving writing on primetime TV. Her unique voice influenced not only a generation of women writers, but all creative artists who strive to deliver quality work,” said Wgaw President John Wells.
A Wgaw member since 1977, multiple award-winning writer-producer English first began her career at Wnet/13, New York City’s PBS affiliate. She worked first as a story editor for the Theatre in America series,...
“Diane English is a total class act – a trailblazing, supremely talented writer whose groundbreaking body of work has helped to both equalize and revolutionize television, while raising the bar for insightful, caustic, and moving writing on primetime TV. Her unique voice influenced not only a generation of women writers, but all creative artists who strive to deliver quality work,” said Wgaw President John Wells.
A Wgaw member since 1977, multiple award-winning writer-producer English first began her career at Wnet/13, New York City’s PBS affiliate. She worked first as a story editor for the Theatre in America series,...
- 1/20/2011
- by HollywoodNews.com
- Hollywoodnews.com
Slumdog Millionaire continued its winning streak this awards season, with Simon Beaufoy winning the 2009 Writers Guild of America award this evening for adapted screenplay. Dustin Lance Black won the award for best original screenplay for Milk. Slumdog has already won DGA, SAG, PGA and Golden Globe awards, and is a multi-award favorite for the Oscars. Milk has won SAG and PGA awards and is also a strong Oscar contender in multiple categories.
On the television side, awards went to the writers of Mad Men (drama), 30 Rock (comedy), Recount and John Adams in long-form categories, and In Treatment, Breaking Bad, and The Simpsons in various other fields. Controversially, among other awards was one for videogame writing (to Star Wars: The Force Unleashed). Some publishers declined to submit their titles for consideration, viewing the award as primarily an organizing tool for a guild seeking to gain a foothold in a non-unionized sector.
On the television side, awards went to the writers of Mad Men (drama), 30 Rock (comedy), Recount and John Adams in long-form categories, and In Treatment, Breaking Bad, and The Simpsons in various other fields. Controversially, among other awards was one for videogame writing (to Star Wars: The Force Unleashed). Some publishers declined to submit their titles for consideration, viewing the award as primarily an organizing tool for a guild seeking to gain a foothold in a non-unionized sector.
- 2/8/2009
- by noreply@blogger.com (Jonathan Handel)
Fox Searchlight's Indian drama "Slumdog Millionaire" put another notch in the kudos-season win column Saturday, copping a WGA Award for best adapted screenplay for Simon Beaufoy.
Focus Features' Harvey Milk biopic "Milk," penned by Dustin Lance Black, won best original screenplay.
"This wasn't the easiest movie to produce, you know -- it's pretty gay!" said a grinning Black, who also was honored with the guild's Paul Selvin Award for championing constitutional rights and civil liberties.
Black added that he prayed a lot during the writing of the "Milk" screenplay.
"Mostly, I'll admit, I prayed for a green light," he said. "So I have to thank God, and I want to thank God for making my dreams come true."
In addition to "Milk," nominees in the original screenplay category included "Burn After Reading, "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," The Visitor" and "The Wrestler."
In winning the best-adapted laurels, "Slumdog" overcame competition from...
Focus Features' Harvey Milk biopic "Milk," penned by Dustin Lance Black, won best original screenplay.
"This wasn't the easiest movie to produce, you know -- it's pretty gay!" said a grinning Black, who also was honored with the guild's Paul Selvin Award for championing constitutional rights and civil liberties.
Black added that he prayed a lot during the writing of the "Milk" screenplay.
"Mostly, I'll admit, I prayed for a green light," he said. "So I have to thank God, and I want to thank God for making my dreams come true."
In addition to "Milk," nominees in the original screenplay category included "Burn After Reading, "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," The Visitor" and "The Wrestler."
In winning the best-adapted laurels, "Slumdog" overcame competition from...
- 2/7/2009
- by By Carl DiOrio and Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The WGA West will honor William Blinn with its Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for Television during the 2009 Writers Guild Awards ceremony Feb. 7.
The guild's highest TV award, the Laurel honors lifetime achievement for outstanding television writing. Blinn will join the ranks of Rod Serling, Norman Lear, Steven Bochco, Susan Harris, Stephen J. Cannell, John Wells and last year's honoree, David Chase.
Blinn's five-decade resume includes the TV longform projects "Roots," "Brian's Song" and "The Boys Next Door" and such series as "The New Land," "Fame," "Eight Is Enough," "Starsky & Hutch," "Gunsmoke," "Bonanza," "My Favorite Martian" and "Rawhide." He also co-wrote the hit 1984 Prince film "Purple Rain."
Blinn has been nominated for five Emmys and six Writers Guild Awards, winning two of each. He also won a Peabody Award for "Brian's Song" and the Humanitas Prize for "Roots."
"William Blinn's writing changed the face of television," Wgaw president Patric Verrone said.
The guild's highest TV award, the Laurel honors lifetime achievement for outstanding television writing. Blinn will join the ranks of Rod Serling, Norman Lear, Steven Bochco, Susan Harris, Stephen J. Cannell, John Wells and last year's honoree, David Chase.
Blinn's five-decade resume includes the TV longform projects "Roots," "Brian's Song" and "The Boys Next Door" and such series as "The New Land," "Fame," "Eight Is Enough," "Starsky & Hutch," "Gunsmoke," "Bonanza," "My Favorite Martian" and "Rawhide." He also co-wrote the hit 1984 Prince film "Purple Rain."
Blinn has been nominated for five Emmys and six Writers Guild Awards, winning two of each. He also won a Peabody Award for "Brian's Song" and the Humanitas Prize for "Roots."
"William Blinn's writing changed the face of television," Wgaw president Patric Verrone said.
- 12/23/2008
- by By Jay A. Fernandez
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Opens Friday, February 27
For his follow-up to "Old School", director Todd Phillips has literally gone old school -- giving a comedy fuel injection to the mack daddy of 1970s cop shows (sorry, "Baretta"), "Starsky and Hutch".
The end result, which has gained an ampersand in the process, finds Phillips' comedy street cred (he also was responsible for 2000's "Road Trip") reasonably intact, and if it doesn't hit as many inspired highs as last year's smash, it still cruises along agreeably on the easy chemistry between Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson, who step in where Paul Michael Glaser and David Soul left off.
It's definitely a lot more fun than the last "Charlie's Angels" picture, another big-screen redo of a '70s Spelling-Goldberg production which has managed to occupy a place in the collective pop culture psyche.
Expect a huge payoff and at least one sequel for the Warner Bros. release (Dimension Pictures has it internationally), which will see Stiller build on that "Along Came Polly" momentum, while Wilson will be able to rebound from "The Big Bounce" and "I Spy".
Effectively laying down the groundwork for the enduring odd couple buddy cop vehicle, the ABC series, which originally aired between 1975-1979, served up a smooth mix of character-driven banter and gritty action.
It was ultimately deemed a little too gritty for the network's tastes, which ordered the violence toned down for the 1977-78 season.
No worries for the kinder, gentler, funnier 2004 version, in which Stiller's feverishly devoted, quick tempered Detective David Starsky is partnered with Wilson's more laidback, rules-bending Detective Ken "Hutch" Hutchinson in the investigation of a Bay City murder.
The trail of clues soon lead them to Reese Feldman (Vince Vaughn), a sadistic, polyester-clad businessman who has found a way to make cocaine undetectable by taste or smell.
But it will take more than a trunkful of disguises and a few spins in their trusty Ford Gran Torino (aka the Red Tomato) to successfully nail Feldman before he pulls off the biggest drug deal in the greater Bay City area.
Stiller has put his skills as an astute mimic to good use here, capturing the original Starsky's caffeine-enhanced body language. Wilson, on the other hand, is essentially playing his surfer-boy-self here, but it serves the character well, and after appearing in something like half a dozen movies together, the two have an easy give-and-take that's more Hope and Crosby than Matthau and Lemmon.
The smart casting also applies to the effectively utilized presence of Snoop Dogg, who neatly slides into Antonio Fargas' slick shoes as fly informant Huggy Bear.
Also popping up are Will Ferrell as a jailed associate of Vaughn's with a dragon fetish, Juliette Lewis as Vaughn's naive girlfriend on the side, Jason Bateman as his lackey and Amy Smart and Carmen Electra as a pair of Bay City cheerleaders with a thing for cops.
Even the original Starsky and Hutch put in a final act appearance, and while the former looks more or less the same, the latter is barely recognizable from his "Don't Give up on Us" days.
Phillips, who contributed to the script along with his writing partner Scot Armstrong and John O'Brien, keeps things clicking at a suitably low-tech pace, although some sharper actual writing and a little less improvising would have helped the picture over a few sluggish spots.
Behind-the-scenes, the '70s live again thanks to production designer Edward Verreaux's authentic interiors, costume designer Louise Mingenbach's shudder-inducing threads and Theodore Shapiro's evocative score which doesn't skimp on the wah-wah guitar.
Starsky & Hutch
Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Pictures and Dimension Films present a Riche-Ludwig/Weed Road/Red Hour production of a Todd Phillips movie
Credits:
Director: Todd Phillips
Screenwriters: John O'Brien, Todd Phillips, Scot Armstrong
Story by: Stevie Long, John O'Brien
Based on characters created by: William Blinn
Producers: William Blinn, Stuart Cornfeld, Akiva Goldsman, Tony Ludwig, Alan Riche
Executive producer: Gilbert Adler
Director of photography: Barry Peterson
Production designer: Edward Verreaux
Editor: Leslie Jones
Costume designer: Louise Mingenbach
Music: Theodore Shapiro
Cast:
Detective David Starsky: Ben Stiller
Detective Ken Hutchinson: Owen Wilson
Reese Feldman: Vince Vaughn
Kitty: Juliette Lewis
Huggy Bear: Snoop Dogg
Police Capt. Dobey: Fred Williamson
Staci: Carmen Electra
Holly: Amy Smart
Running time -- 100 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
For his follow-up to "Old School", director Todd Phillips has literally gone old school -- giving a comedy fuel injection to the mack daddy of 1970s cop shows (sorry, "Baretta"), "Starsky and Hutch".
The end result, which has gained an ampersand in the process, finds Phillips' comedy street cred (he also was responsible for 2000's "Road Trip") reasonably intact, and if it doesn't hit as many inspired highs as last year's smash, it still cruises along agreeably on the easy chemistry between Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson, who step in where Paul Michael Glaser and David Soul left off.
It's definitely a lot more fun than the last "Charlie's Angels" picture, another big-screen redo of a '70s Spelling-Goldberg production which has managed to occupy a place in the collective pop culture psyche.
Expect a huge payoff and at least one sequel for the Warner Bros. release (Dimension Pictures has it internationally), which will see Stiller build on that "Along Came Polly" momentum, while Wilson will be able to rebound from "The Big Bounce" and "I Spy".
Effectively laying down the groundwork for the enduring odd couple buddy cop vehicle, the ABC series, which originally aired between 1975-1979, served up a smooth mix of character-driven banter and gritty action.
It was ultimately deemed a little too gritty for the network's tastes, which ordered the violence toned down for the 1977-78 season.
No worries for the kinder, gentler, funnier 2004 version, in which Stiller's feverishly devoted, quick tempered Detective David Starsky is partnered with Wilson's more laidback, rules-bending Detective Ken "Hutch" Hutchinson in the investigation of a Bay City murder.
The trail of clues soon lead them to Reese Feldman (Vince Vaughn), a sadistic, polyester-clad businessman who has found a way to make cocaine undetectable by taste or smell.
But it will take more than a trunkful of disguises and a few spins in their trusty Ford Gran Torino (aka the Red Tomato) to successfully nail Feldman before he pulls off the biggest drug deal in the greater Bay City area.
Stiller has put his skills as an astute mimic to good use here, capturing the original Starsky's caffeine-enhanced body language. Wilson, on the other hand, is essentially playing his surfer-boy-self here, but it serves the character well, and after appearing in something like half a dozen movies together, the two have an easy give-and-take that's more Hope and Crosby than Matthau and Lemmon.
The smart casting also applies to the effectively utilized presence of Snoop Dogg, who neatly slides into Antonio Fargas' slick shoes as fly informant Huggy Bear.
Also popping up are Will Ferrell as a jailed associate of Vaughn's with a dragon fetish, Juliette Lewis as Vaughn's naive girlfriend on the side, Jason Bateman as his lackey and Amy Smart and Carmen Electra as a pair of Bay City cheerleaders with a thing for cops.
Even the original Starsky and Hutch put in a final act appearance, and while the former looks more or less the same, the latter is barely recognizable from his "Don't Give up on Us" days.
Phillips, who contributed to the script along with his writing partner Scot Armstrong and John O'Brien, keeps things clicking at a suitably low-tech pace, although some sharper actual writing and a little less improvising would have helped the picture over a few sluggish spots.
Behind-the-scenes, the '70s live again thanks to production designer Edward Verreaux's authentic interiors, costume designer Louise Mingenbach's shudder-inducing threads and Theodore Shapiro's evocative score which doesn't skimp on the wah-wah guitar.
Starsky & Hutch
Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Pictures and Dimension Films present a Riche-Ludwig/Weed Road/Red Hour production of a Todd Phillips movie
Credits:
Director: Todd Phillips
Screenwriters: John O'Brien, Todd Phillips, Scot Armstrong
Story by: Stevie Long, John O'Brien
Based on characters created by: William Blinn
Producers: William Blinn, Stuart Cornfeld, Akiva Goldsman, Tony Ludwig, Alan Riche
Executive producer: Gilbert Adler
Director of photography: Barry Peterson
Production designer: Edward Verreaux
Editor: Leslie Jones
Costume designer: Louise Mingenbach
Music: Theodore Shapiro
Cast:
Detective David Starsky: Ben Stiller
Detective Ken Hutchinson: Owen Wilson
Reese Feldman: Vince Vaughn
Kitty: Juliette Lewis
Huggy Bear: Snoop Dogg
Police Capt. Dobey: Fred Williamson
Staci: Carmen Electra
Holly: Amy Smart
Running time -- 100 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
Opens Friday, February 27
For his follow-up to "Old School", director Todd Phillips has literally gone old school -- giving a comedy fuel injection to the mack daddy of 1970s cop shows (sorry, "Baretta"), "Starsky and Hutch".
The end result, which has gained an ampersand in the process, finds Phillips' comedy street cred (he also was responsible for 2000's "Road Trip") reasonably intact, and if it doesn't hit as many inspired highs as last year's smash, it still cruises along agreeably on the easy chemistry between Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson, who step in where Paul Michael Glaser and David Soul left off.
It's definitely a lot more fun than the last "Charlie's Angels" picture, another big-screen redo of a '70s Spelling-Goldberg production which has managed to occupy a place in the collective pop culture psyche.
Expect a huge payoff and at least one sequel for the Warner Bros. release (Dimension Pictures has it internationally), which will see Stiller build on that "Along Came Polly" momentum, while Wilson will be able to rebound from "The Big Bounce" and "I Spy".
Effectively laying down the groundwork for the enduring odd couple buddy cop vehicle, the ABC series, which originally aired between 1975-1979, served up a smooth mix of character-driven banter and gritty action.
It was ultimately deemed a little too gritty for the network's tastes, which ordered the violence toned down for the 1977-78 season.
No worries for the kinder, gentler, funnier 2004 version, in which Stiller's feverishly devoted, quick tempered Detective David Starsky is partnered with Wilson's more laidback, rules-bending Detective Ken "Hutch" Hutchinson in the investigation of a Bay City murder.
The trail of clues soon lead them to Reese Feldman (Vince Vaughn), a sadistic, polyester-clad businessman who has found a way to make cocaine undetectable by taste or smell.
But it will take more than a trunkful of disguises and a few spins in their trusty Ford Gran Torino (aka the Red Tomato) to successfully nail Feldman before he pulls off the biggest drug deal in the greater Bay City area.
Stiller has put his skills as an astute mimic to good use here, capturing the original Starsky's caffeine-enhanced body language. Wilson, on the other hand, is essentially playing his surfer-boy-self here, but it serves the character well, and after appearing in something like half a dozen movies together, the two have an easy give-and-take that's more Hope and Crosby than Matthau and Lemmon.
The smart casting also applies to the effectively utilized presence of Snoop Dogg, who neatly slides into Antonio Fargas' slick shoes as fly informant Huggy Bear.
Also popping up are Will Ferrell as a jailed associate of Vaughn's with a dragon fetish, Juliette Lewis as Vaughn's naive girlfriend on the side, Jason Bateman as his lackey and Amy Smart and Carmen Electra as a pair of Bay City cheerleaders with a thing for cops.
Even the original Starsky and Hutch put in a final act appearance, and while the former looks more or less the same, the latter is barely recognizable from his "Don't Give up on Us" days.
Phillips, who contributed to the script along with his writing partner Scot Armstrong and John O'Brien, keeps things clicking at a suitably low-tech pace, although some sharper actual writing and a little less improvising would have helped the picture over a few sluggish spots.
Behind-the-scenes, the '70s live again thanks to production designer Edward Verreaux's authentic interiors, costume designer Louise Mingenbach's shudder-inducing threads and Theodore Shapiro's evocative score which doesn't skimp on the wah-wah guitar.
Starsky & Hutch
Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Pictures and Dimension Films present a Riche-Ludwig/Weed Road/Red Hour production of a Todd Phillips movie
Credits:
Director: Todd Phillips
Screenwriters: John O'Brien, Todd Phillips, Scot Armstrong
Story by: Stevie Long, John O'Brien
Based on characters created by: William Blinn
Producers: William Blinn, Stuart Cornfeld, Akiva Goldsman, Tony Ludwig, Alan Riche
Executive producer: Gilbert Adler
Director of photography: Barry Peterson
Production designer: Edward Verreaux
Editor: Leslie Jones
Costume designer: Louise Mingenbach
Music: Theodore Shapiro
Cast:
Detective David Starsky: Ben Stiller
Detective Ken Hutchinson: Owen Wilson
Reese Feldman: Vince Vaughn
Kitty: Juliette Lewis
Huggy Bear: Snoop Dogg
Police Capt. Dobey: Fred Williamson
Staci: Carmen Electra
Holly: Amy Smart
Running time -- 100 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
For his follow-up to "Old School", director Todd Phillips has literally gone old school -- giving a comedy fuel injection to the mack daddy of 1970s cop shows (sorry, "Baretta"), "Starsky and Hutch".
The end result, which has gained an ampersand in the process, finds Phillips' comedy street cred (he also was responsible for 2000's "Road Trip") reasonably intact, and if it doesn't hit as many inspired highs as last year's smash, it still cruises along agreeably on the easy chemistry between Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson, who step in where Paul Michael Glaser and David Soul left off.
It's definitely a lot more fun than the last "Charlie's Angels" picture, another big-screen redo of a '70s Spelling-Goldberg production which has managed to occupy a place in the collective pop culture psyche.
Expect a huge payoff and at least one sequel for the Warner Bros. release (Dimension Pictures has it internationally), which will see Stiller build on that "Along Came Polly" momentum, while Wilson will be able to rebound from "The Big Bounce" and "I Spy".
Effectively laying down the groundwork for the enduring odd couple buddy cop vehicle, the ABC series, which originally aired between 1975-1979, served up a smooth mix of character-driven banter and gritty action.
It was ultimately deemed a little too gritty for the network's tastes, which ordered the violence toned down for the 1977-78 season.
No worries for the kinder, gentler, funnier 2004 version, in which Stiller's feverishly devoted, quick tempered Detective David Starsky is partnered with Wilson's more laidback, rules-bending Detective Ken "Hutch" Hutchinson in the investigation of a Bay City murder.
The trail of clues soon lead them to Reese Feldman (Vince Vaughn), a sadistic, polyester-clad businessman who has found a way to make cocaine undetectable by taste or smell.
But it will take more than a trunkful of disguises and a few spins in their trusty Ford Gran Torino (aka the Red Tomato) to successfully nail Feldman before he pulls off the biggest drug deal in the greater Bay City area.
Stiller has put his skills as an astute mimic to good use here, capturing the original Starsky's caffeine-enhanced body language. Wilson, on the other hand, is essentially playing his surfer-boy-self here, but it serves the character well, and after appearing in something like half a dozen movies together, the two have an easy give-and-take that's more Hope and Crosby than Matthau and Lemmon.
The smart casting also applies to the effectively utilized presence of Snoop Dogg, who neatly slides into Antonio Fargas' slick shoes as fly informant Huggy Bear.
Also popping up are Will Ferrell as a jailed associate of Vaughn's with a dragon fetish, Juliette Lewis as Vaughn's naive girlfriend on the side, Jason Bateman as his lackey and Amy Smart and Carmen Electra as a pair of Bay City cheerleaders with a thing for cops.
Even the original Starsky and Hutch put in a final act appearance, and while the former looks more or less the same, the latter is barely recognizable from his "Don't Give up on Us" days.
Phillips, who contributed to the script along with his writing partner Scot Armstrong and John O'Brien, keeps things clicking at a suitably low-tech pace, although some sharper actual writing and a little less improvising would have helped the picture over a few sluggish spots.
Behind-the-scenes, the '70s live again thanks to production designer Edward Verreaux's authentic interiors, costume designer Louise Mingenbach's shudder-inducing threads and Theodore Shapiro's evocative score which doesn't skimp on the wah-wah guitar.
Starsky & Hutch
Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Pictures and Dimension Films present a Riche-Ludwig/Weed Road/Red Hour production of a Todd Phillips movie
Credits:
Director: Todd Phillips
Screenwriters: John O'Brien, Todd Phillips, Scot Armstrong
Story by: Stevie Long, John O'Brien
Based on characters created by: William Blinn
Producers: William Blinn, Stuart Cornfeld, Akiva Goldsman, Tony Ludwig, Alan Riche
Executive producer: Gilbert Adler
Director of photography: Barry Peterson
Production designer: Edward Verreaux
Editor: Leslie Jones
Costume designer: Louise Mingenbach
Music: Theodore Shapiro
Cast:
Detective David Starsky: Ben Stiller
Detective Ken Hutchinson: Owen Wilson
Reese Feldman: Vince Vaughn
Kitty: Juliette Lewis
Huggy Bear: Snoop Dogg
Police Capt. Dobey: Fred Williamson
Staci: Carmen Electra
Holly: Amy Smart
Running time -- 100 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
- 2/23/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Carmen Electra is in negotiations to join the cast of Warner Bros. Pictures' big-screen adaptation of the classic 1970s police action series Starsky and Hutch for director Todd Phillips. The project goes into production today. Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson will star as the cop duo who race around the city in a bright red hot rod and report to their never-happy boss, Capt. Dobey. Huggy Bear (Snoop Dogg) is the duo's flamboyant street informant. Electra will play Hutch's (Wilson) girlfriend. Stuart Cornfeld, Akiva Goldsman, Tony Ludwig, Alan Riche and William Blinn are producing the project. Stiller and Gil Adler are executive producing. Steve Long, John O'Brien, Phillips and Scott Armstrong wrote the screenplay. Electra, repped by UTA and Untitled Entertainment, has appeared in such films as Sol Goode, Get Over It and Scary Movie. She most recently appeared on television in Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding.
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